In some Jewish families, speaking up for Palestine stirs discontent

During the cold December Christmas holidays, Dalia Sarig received a visit from her 80-year-old father at her home in Vienna after returning from a skiing trip. He came to pick up her stepsister who had joined their family on vacation. Sarig believed it could be their final meeting due to their opposing political views. Tensions had been mounting with her Jewish family for years as a 56-year-old pro-Palestine activist at odds with most of her relatives, who adhere to Zionism, a nationalist ideology advocating for the establishment of a Jewish state. Despite knowing that her upcoming pro-Palestine demonstration outside parliament would lead to a rift in January, she proceeded with it, appalled by Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The broadcast interview following the demonstration reached her family, with her father reportedly telling friends that she was dead to him. Her mother later messaged her disapproving of her activism, leading to a strained relationship. Family divisions over political beliefs have become more pronounced since the events of October 7, 2023, when tensions escalated between Israeli forces and Hamas. This has caused rifts within Jewish families worldwide regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. Sarig, whose ancestors resettled in Palestine, renounced her Israeli citizenship in 2015 as a rejection of Zionism. Despite being disowned by some family members, she remains committed to her activism for Palestinian rights. The emotional toll of being estranged from family members due to differing political views can have lasting effects on mental health. Experts stress the importance of engaging in conversations with curiosity rather than confrontation to bridge these divides within families.